The foreign trade volume of companies in Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has been growing as enterprises continue to expand their international market share.

One such company is steel manufacturer Yonggang Group, which achieved a cargo throughput of about 3 million tons in January, up more than 18 percent year-on-year. Its throughput of goods exported overseas increased by more than 35 percent year-on-year.

Yongzhuo Holdings, the parent company of Yonggang, has been optimizing its product structure to increase high value-added exports. As a result, the company's total steel exports in 2022 surged 54 percent year-on-year. The company now has a presence in 113 countries.

Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co Ltd is another company that has increased its foreign trade volume. The company's products such as mineral water production lines and edible oil filling equipment are exported to the Middle East and Europe.

Dong Hailong, deputy general manager of Newamstar, said the company will use overseas exhibitions to explore more promotion channels and further enhance its influence on the global stage.

Meanwhile, Zhangjiagang Pukun Worsted Textile Co, which has 1,000 employees and total assets valued at 1 billion yuan ($145.3 million), has been receiving many overseas orders since last December.

"Foreign trade has always been our top priority," said Pang Fei, the general manager. "Last year, 50 percent of our output was exported and we plan to increase the ratio to 55 percent this year."

The company's products are currently exported to more than 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

In 2022, Zhangjiagang's foreign trade was valued at a record $45 billion. It also had the largest growth rate among all regions in Suzhou.